Tuesday, 8 July 2008

We left this story with the paddler's Port wheel and shaft leaving the yard of Garvel Clyde Ltd in Greenock for a specialist machine shop in Manchester to have remedial works undertaken to resolve the wear issues identified during routine inspection whilst in dry dock.

This time we pick the story up as the wheel returns to the yard at around 10pm on Saturday 28th June. The job had taken a little longer than originally anticipated but as I'm sure anyone would agree it is more important to get it right rather than hurry proceedings!!

The wheel and shaft were also re-united at the machine shop to ensure that the fit was correct and also to save time when re-installing the equipment in the ship.

The photo above shows a very relieved Chief Engineer as the low loader reverses the wheel / shaft assembly into the yard. Gordon Reid is currently Waverley's Chief Engineer but he was also Project Manager of both phases of the paddler's heritage rebuild (2000/2001 & 2002/2003).

The next photo shows the low loader preparing to reverse round the head of the dock to the ship. This was no easy task even with rear wheel steering but it prevented any unecessary lifting and laying of the assembly prior to refitting.

As you can see from the photo the wheel has no floats fitted. After the assembly has been removed from the low loader this was the next task. A team made up of Garvel Clyde & Waverley engineers worked through the night to refit all but the two lowermost floats - these would be fitted when the assembly was back in it's rightful position on the ship.

The following photos show the wheel after being removed from the low loader (below) and completion of the re-fitting of the floats early the following morning (below right). The huge wing nut which is fitted to the end of the shaft can be seen clearly in the photo below - this ensures that once assembled the unit stays in position.

The following shots show the assembly being lifted back into the ship. As you will see it is not to be rushed!!

Lifting over the dock wall.

Lowering into the waiting paddle box.

Almost there!! The bright metal area is the part of the shaft that locates in the bearing housing - which can be seen at the worker's foot in the photo below. This bearing is lubricated using tallow. One of the remaining floats and the feathering gear can be seen on the dock floor ready for refitting when the time comes.

Not far to go now! The relationship between shaft and bearing housing is clearer in this shot.

A shot of the wheel in position - rebuilding of the paddlebox facing has already begun.

The familiar wooden paddlebox facing in the yard waiting to be refitted to the ship.

Hmmm! Something not right here!! The top of Waverley's paddlebox on the dockside waiting to be refitted. The platform and lights will be located on top of this part.

This was a heartening sight! Work continues apace.

Branch chairman Stuart Mears points to Waverley in the background - she's on her way back to rude health once again!!

So we leave our little paddler in the dry dock - she was refloated on Wednesday 2nd July and after running trials that day returned to service with a cruise to Brodick on the Isle of Arran on Thursday 3rd July.

The Society

The Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) is Britain's longest established, largest and most successful steamship preservation group.A registered charity founded in 1959, we have over 3000 members and through our associated charitable companies we operate the only two working paddle steamers in Great Britain.Without the PSPS there would no longer be the opportunity to sail on a Paddle Steamer in Great Britain.

Our aimsi) to preserve paddle steamers in sailing conditionii) to educate the public in the historic significance of paddle steamers in the Nation's maritime and industrial heritageiii) to acquire, preserve and exhibit a collection of equipment and material associated with paddle steamers.

Our Ships

Flagship of our fleet is Waverley the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world. Built in 1947 Waverley was gifted to the Society for just £1. As well as operating on her native Clyde each summer she visits other coastal areas around the UK during the spring and autumn each year.

Kingswear Castle is Britain's only operational coal-fired paddle steamer. Built in 1924 to sail on the River Dart she was purchased by the Society in 1967. From 1985 until 2012 she sailed the Thames and Medway. In 2013 Kingswear Castle returned to the Dart where she now operates public sailings during the summer season.

The society is composed of five branches: Scottish, London & Home Counties, Bristol Channel, Wessex & Dart and North England - all of which help raise money to keep our paddle steamers sailing.

The Scottish Branch

The Scottish Branch was formed in 1969 by Douglas McGowan, now our Honorary Branch President. In November 1973 Douglas was invited to attend a meeting with CalMac which resulted in Paddle Steamer Waverley being gifted to the PSPS for £1! It was then on 8th August 1974 that the PSPS took ownership of the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world and her second career in preservation had begun. Since 1974 the Scottish Branch has been directly linked to supporting Waverley.

The Scottish Branch is proud of its achievements. We are an active and forward thinking branch with a thriving membership of over 800 - we are proud to be the branch which secured an operational future for Waverley. Our members are regularly involved with voluntary work which helps ensure Waverley continues to sail. During the summer sailing season we help raise funds through the Society's Grand Draw and our annual fundraising cruise on Waverley. The Branch meets in Glasgow each month during the non-sailing season (October - April) and we extend an invitation to join the Society and indeed join the Scottish Branch.